By Shaun Penner

Sikh community in Grande Prairie rallies against Indian farm legislation changes

Dec 4, 2020 | 5:01 PM

GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB — Members of the Sikh community in Grande Prairie spoke out against recent legislation passed by the Government of India, which they feel adversely impacts Indian farmers for the benefit of large corporations.

Back in September, three bills were passed by Indian Parliament that reformed legislation around agriculture, with the Indian government saying the legislation brings about much needed reform to the agriculture sector, that will allow farmers the freedom to market their produce and boost production through private investment, as well as allow small farmers to source out their own contracts with corporations and other private companies.

However, critics and protestors have said the laws could cause the government to stop buying grain at guaranteed prices (under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) program, which many fear could be removed under this new legislation) and result in the exploitation of smaller farmers by corporations that would buy their crops more cheaply, as well as their land in the long run.

“Nobody is listening to the small people, small businesses,” said Yad Minhas, a Grande Prairie City Councillor who was on-hand at the intersection of 116 Avenue and 100 Street in Grande Prairie Thursday to speak out against the changes.

“Farming is a business, but they’re a small business and it’s getting killed with this government.”

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Photo: Liam Verster / EverythingGP

In the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, two of the largest agricultural producing areas in the country of over one billion residents, protestors have been camped out along highways for the last two months to protest the passing of the legislation.

Protests have even reached the nation’s capital of New Delhi, some of which have turned violent between protestors and law enforcement, as they demand Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to overturn the changes.

Now, protests are beginning to turn up around the globe.

“We’re not very many here,” said Minhas, who was one of approximately 30 demonstrators in Grande Prairie.

“But we’re trying to protest to help support our country.”

Foreign leaders have spoken out in support of the Indian farming community, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which has drawn the ire of India’s foreign ministry.

“Thank you to Prime Minister Trudeau,” said Angad Suri, one of the protestors in Grande Prairie who was grateful for Trudeau’s support.

“That is absolutely huge.”

One of the demonstrators at Thursday’s protest explains the sign reads, in Punjabi, “We are the son of our land. So we have to fight back for our land”. (Photo: Liam Verster / EverythingGP)

Agriculture is a major driver of the Indian economy, supporting more than half of the country’s 1.3 billion people, according to the Associated Press.

However, farmers have also seen their economic clout diminish over the last three decades. Once accounting for a third of India’s gross domestic product, they now produce only 15% of gross domestic product, which is valued at $2.9 trillion a year.

“I’ve been here a long time,” added Minhas, who has lived and worked in Grande Prairie for over 40 years. “I still feel the pinch for the farmer, because I know they are hard workers.”

Photo: Liam Verster / EverythingGP

Those on-hand for Thursday’s peaceful demonstration say they will continue to speak out against these changes, and are hoping to gain the support of the Peace Country’s farming community.

“Hopefully we will get support from our local farmers, because farmers all around (the world) are the same,” said Mestab Gorayn, one of the demonstrators. “All of the farmers love their land. Hopefully we will get some response from our local farmers too.”

(With files from Ashok Sharma, The Associated Press)